The Dominican Republic's authorities began on Monday the evacuation of hundreds of families living in vulnerable zones and suspended flights to Puerto Rico due to the bad weather caused by the hurricane Earl.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) said on Monday it is also analyzing the evacuation of Nagua, Matancita, Cabrera and San Pedro de Macoris.

"The preventive committees in the northern zones of the country were reactivated and its members began to give orientation to the people about the measure to keep their lives," the COE said in a statement.

Earl has winds of 195 kilometers per hour, so the COE has suggested not to use small boats and avoid aquatic sports.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded at the country's international airport, waiting for the weather to become better.P Private and charter flights were also suspended till the weather conditions are improved.

The country's Civil Defense authorities have urged people to follow closely Earl's course as it will cause pouring rains.

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